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3 Days in Fort Lauderdale

Hello! I'm Maddie- a native NYer whose Wanderlust has taken her abroad again and again. Having lived in six countries, and visiting others for school, work, leisure, and sport, I've adopted many localities, and am an admirer of a great many more. An avid scholar of language and culture, I hope to keep expanding my travel repertoire, and sharing great stories with the rest of the travel community.
To give you some background on my travels, I spent months each year since childhood in Old Montreal, where part of my family lives. Summers were spent visiting folks in Ft. Lauderdale and L.A. My first big trip outside of the US on my own was to Australia & New Zealand at 12- I caught the bug early! I then moved to Japan where I studied for part of high school & uni. I am very familiar with Japanese cities, Sapporo and Osaka especially. Some of my favourite travel destinations include Goreme, Dubai, Marrakech, and Queenstown. (Plans for 2015 include China & Uganda!)
Nice to meet you!

If you are in Fort Lauderdale for a few days, then of course you'll want to check out the iconic beachfronts that have helped to make this city such a popular destination. But Fort Lauderdale caters to every type of traveler - whether you're a nature lover, a foodie, or an adventurer at heart. Take in the "Venice of the USA" with my guide to some of its best locations and activities.

Good for

Shopping Fanatic

Nature Lover

Foodie

Beach Goer

11 Places

3 City Tips

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Map

11 Places

Day 1

Las Olas Beach

Beaches

Las Olas Boulevard

Shopping Malls, Points of Interest & Landmarks

BlueFoot Pirate Adventures

Boat Tours

Day 2

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Beaches

Tropical Sailing

Boat Tours

The Gallery at Beach Place

Shopping Malls

Secret Woods Nature Center

Parks, Nature & Wildlife Areas, Natural History Museums

Day 3

New River

Bodies of Water

Jungle Queen Riverboat

Dinner Theaters, Boat Tours

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

Scenic Walking Areas

Cinema Paradiso

Movie Theaters

Las Olas Beach

S Atlantic Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL

Las Olas Boulevard

Fort Lauderdale, FL33301

BlueFoot Pirate Adventures

801 Seabreeze Blvd., Slip I 909, Fort Lauderdale, FL33316

Fort Lauderdale Beach

A1A between Las Olas and Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL33301

Tropical Sailing

401 Biscayne Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL33316

The Gallery at Beach Place

17 S Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL33316

Secret Woods Nature Center

2701 W. State Rd. 84, Dania Beach, FL33312

New River

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Jungle Queen Riverboat

801 Seabreeze Blvd (Route A1A), Fort Lauderdale, FL33316

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

305 South Andrews Avenue suite 410, Fort Lauderdale, FL33301

Cinema Paradiso

503 Southeast 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL33301

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Las Olas Beach

Beaches

▼

▲

Las Olas Boulevard

Shopping Malls, Points of Interest & Landmarks

▼

▲

BlueFoot Pirate Adventures

Boat Tours

▼

▲

Fort Lauderdale Beach

Beaches

▼

▲

Tropical Sailing

Boat Tours

▼

▲

The Gallery at Beach Place

Shopping Malls

▼

▲

Secret Woods Nature Center

Parks, Nature & Wildlife Areas, Natural History Museums

▼

▲

New River

Bodies of Water

▼

▲

Jungle Queen Riverboat

Dinner Theaters, Boat Tours

▼

▲

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

Scenic Walking Areas

▼

▲

Cinema Paradiso

Movie Theaters

▼

Maddie S's City Tips

Many beachfront destinations are reachable by water taxi, a cheap and convenient method of travel around Fort Lauderdale.

If you intend to eat out after a day at the beach, be sure to bring a change of dry clothes - not all restaurants in the area allow beachwear for indoor dining.

When picnicking on the beach or at a park, be sure to clean up after yourself. Fort Lauderdale's beaches are extremely clean, and care and conscience help to keep them that way!

Day 1

Save

Las Olas Beach

Beaches

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Maddie S Says:

A beautiful beachfront with fewer crowds than many in the area, Las Olas Beach is situated in one of the most gorgeous parts of Fort Lauderdale. And when you're done in the sun and surf, there's plenty more to do, just off the sandy path - the shops and restaurants in the area are abundant.

Good for

Foodie

Peace and Quiet Seeker

Beach Goer

Thrifty Traveler

Shopping Fanatic

Nature Lover

Tips

Water taxis service this area, and may make for the easiest journey to and from your hotel - check pick-up points in advance to plan your journey.

Las Olas Boulevard is an architecturally quaint shopping and eating haven. Find boutiques, coffee shops, al fresco dining, bars, and even museums and galleries all on the Boulevard's stretch. There is plenty to see and do - even at night, when it's lit up to welcome shoppers and diners alike.

Good for

Foodie

Must See

Trendsetter

Shopping Fanatic

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

Parking is very difficult in this area, so it's better to walk or take a cab, bike, or water taxi to reach the Boulevard.

As there's so much good food in the area, if you're traveling with others, order a single plate and share! That way, you can sample a few different restaurants on the Boulevard.

Slice an hour out of your Las Olas day to go on a swashbuckling adventure! Face painting, dress-up, and 'talk like a pirate' lessons are the overture to a live-action, interactive pirate play - set (literally!) at sea. On the short boat trip, a mystery is solved and everybody leaves with a piece of the treasure.

Good for

Hidden Gems

Thrill Seeker

Family

Nature Lover

Tips

BlueFoot sometimes does 2-for-1 tickets on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Check their online page or call to see if the deal is on during your visit by mentioning "Cruise and Play."

This activity is especially great for families with young children, who will enjoy the face painting and play-along elemets.

The Beachfront is the highlight of most visits to Fort Lauderdale - block after block of clean sand, mild waves, and palm trees. There are also game courts, public parks, and picnic areas - ensuring that there's something for everyone to enjoy, whether you want to don a swimsuit, go for a run, or sit back and build sand castles.

Good for

Beach Goer

Thrifty Traveler

Nature Lover

Tips

The sand gets very hot between peak daylight hours, 11AM-4PM. Taking your sandals on a walk down to the water is advisable, especially for young children.

There are a number of food trucks and restaurants nearby the beach, as well as a public-use grill area; you can't go wrong with either a picnic or a meal on the down.

With the motto "Catch the Spirit," Tropical Sailing catamaran company offers group sailing tours and private charters daily from Fort Lauderdale's shores. Helpful guides will tell you about the history and lay of the land, while also showing you best sailing practices - an experience not to be missed!

Good for

Beach Goer

Nature Lover

Tips

Group tours provide snacks for guests, as well as a cash-bar, so you won't go hungry (or thirsty) on your way around the city's waterscape.

The Gallery is a three-story mall along the beach, offering everything from last-minute swimming essentials (suntan lotion, towels, or visors) and souvenirs to food and entertainment. Some of the eateries feature live music and balcony seating with waterfront views.

Good for

Beach Goer

Like a Local

Shopping Fanatic

Tips

Do not buy anything before being told the final price. Some stores in the area will charge you a tremendous sum for custom items (like t-shirts) that cannot be refunded.

"Da Big Kahuna" at The Gallery features a live Polynesian dance show every Friday at 8:00PM. Admission is free.

Restaurants at The Gallery validate parking. Be sure to ask your server if you park in the mall's underground lot and stay for a bite to eat.

If you'd like to spend part of your day communing with nature, head on down to the Secret Woods Nature Center, where the best of Florida's true natural beauty is on display. With boardwalks over the wetlands and information tablets about the local wildlife, the lovely scenery provides a welcome respite from the bustle of the beach and shopping centers.

Good for

Peace and Quiet Seeker

Hidden Gems

Nature Lover

Tips

Be sure to check out the butterfly garden at the entrance of the Nature Center! There is free entry.

The cityscape of Fort Lauderdale is epitomized by New River, where the estates on Millionaires Row are as visible as the tall towers of the business district. Get up close and personal with the famed canals by walking the area, traveling down the river by water taxi, or taking a boat tour.

Good for

Beach Goer

Nature Lover

Tips

Many restaurants along the river offer outdoor, waterfront seating. Take some time to explore, and make sure to get an excellent view along with your meal!

An institution for 70-plus years, The Jungle Queen is one of the only sightseeing boat cruises along the New River. In addition to a tour of the area given by your Captain, guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat, family-style southern meals. The final stop is a secluded island where a Variety Show is put on for passengers, before an evening ride back to the start point. Or, guests can choose to take one of the morning sightseeing tours instead -these are shorter with a more of a historical focus, highlighting the best of the city's nightlife and wildlife.

Good for

History Buff

Nature Lover

Tips

The nearest parking for the Riverboat dock is quite expensive. Depending on distance, it may be more cost-efficient to take a taxi or walk.

The morning sightseeing cruise, departing at 10:00AM is 90 minutes long, while the dinner cruise, departing at 1:45PM is 3 hours long. Plan according to your timetable.

Make like the locals and head to Cinema Paradiso while in the downtown area. Vintage, plush seating and a full bar and snack stand make catching a film here a relaxing treat, sure to end any day on a positive note.

Good for

Like a Local

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

Cinema Paradiso plays host to a number of themed events, including most notably the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, in November.

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